'WE DON'T LEARN BY DOING,
WE LEARN BY REFLECTING ON WHAT WE'VE DONE'

So here we go... 

LIM WAN CING 

After carrying out the STEM project, I have learnt a lot of lessons. First, the division of work is very important in a group. This can make sure the program runs smoothly. For our group, we have few bureau. Each bureau has its own job scope. Next, we cannot do things at the last minute. It may ruin our program. Before teaching the students, we must do some research and study more about the theory and explanation of a phenomenon. The students may ask many strange questions. So, we must prepare to pass the accurate information to them. Lastly, we must be punctual. In a group work, all members must give their commitment as much as possible so that the program can run smoothly.

CHAN WEI CHUEN

I am the secretary of the group 4 social engagement. Throughout the whole program i had learnt a lot useful things in my life. When prepared for the 3 days program in SMK Damansarajaya, i learn how to do a report of a meeting effectively. Other than that, in the process of planning the program, i also know how to write a formal letter to the Jabatan Pendidikan Selangor to apply for carrying STEM program in SMK Damansarajaya. In the three days program at SMK Damansarajaya, i learn alot of things too. In the first two days exhibition, i learn how to make a structure more stable. To achieve stability, the structure need to have a large base area and low center of gravity. In the third day program, I learn about the eruption of volcano. I know how to use the chemicals to create a fake volcano. Throughout the programs, i not only learn about those chemistry theory but also some moral values. I learn about not giving up when facing problem during the third day program which is the lab session. Although the 'volcano' at first was failed, but we not giving up and finally success to make the eruption of volcano. In conclusion, i feel very happy to be involve in this STEM program. I feel very proud to have a chance to teach those students in SMK Damansarajaya some science theories. And finally, i hope that i still got another chance to make science exhibition to those students that needed it.

YAP XIU LIN

In the end of this project, I have learnt a lot of things throughout this course. Social Engagement allowed me to get to know more about our course mates. Although we are from the same department, however we do not know about each other. Though this project, I more understand about them and a strong bonding is formed between us. Moreover, we as a student should not study all the times but we have to ‘berkhidmat untuk negara dan juga masyarakat’ as we are the future leader. Last but not least the most important things are not to pass this course but to experienced what I have done during this course. Thank you.

LEE JIA YEE

Throughout this STEM programme, a couple of noble values have been reinforced in me such as teamwork accountability, commitment and punctuality. Without any of these, there would not be such a great accomplishment for this project. Each and every member tasted the victory and we celebrated the joy together. However, there were a few errors and mistakes created in the midst of activities and experiments but we managed to overcome and solve it. I would like to express my gratitude to all members because I’ve learnt new things from them. “Together we stand, divided we fall”

CHIANG KAH LOON

The social engagement project really brought me a lots of memory, although a lot of mistakes that we had done throughout the project, we had managed to solve it and eventually made a perfect project. I had learnt many things in this project. For example, I could train my public speaking skill when I was presenting about the galaxy and universe to the students. Besides, I also learnt how to solve the problems with an alternative way when problem happened. Moreover, a good group discussion was needed in order to make a project to be launched successfully, I learnt the teamwork spirit through this social engagement. Without my teammate, I could not succeed this mission. It showed that the teamwork spirit was very important to everyone.This social engagement project was my first social works in the community as well, therefore I could gain many experience from it and I would appreciate for it. If I got the other chance to join the other social voluntary work, I would absolutely join it without any hesitating.

NURFATIN FATIHAH  ABU BAKAR

I learned a lot of new knowledge and gained new experience during this social engagement programme. My teammates gave full cooperation and had done a good job to make sure that this programme went well and achieved its objectives. I really enjoyed even though I felt a bit tired after this programme. 

LOH CHING WEN

When I know that every student is compulsory to take this course. I was like “ Y ? This course is so boring and wasting my time! ” But after my first social engagement experience, I totally change my mind. It is really a fun and meaningful course. I really appreciate this opportunity because I get the chance to teach the Form 2 students Mathematics. It is really an unforgettable experience for me. From this programme, I get to know my course mates, which I never know them before. I also get to learn how to work as a group through this event. Besides, I would like to thank all my members for being so cooperative either in the process of discussion and planning or at the event that day. Thank you for everything.

KER KAH HUI

There could be million of ideas and new theories we implemented in school everyday, but without practicing the ideas, it wouldn't stayed long in our mind ... when facilitating the STEM activities, we could know that it is a vital programme and it is essential to develop students’ critical thinking, communication, inquiry skills and from our lab sessions, students are engaged to work as collaborative teams. Although i am not really sure that our project could be or isn't the solution to make students to love science, however if students see reasons for what they are learning, they tend to learn more deeply and quickly because they are actually engaged in the content. Overall, i am happy to see our project had come into a success.

CHONG KA FAN

Throughout this social engagement project, I have learned how to cooperate with each other to succeed a project. I also realized how creative and curious young minds are by the interactions I had with the students. In short, it was a memorable journey and a new experience for me playing a part in organizing this STEM project

TAN YI RUI

I want to give a big clap (appreciation) to the teachers who in charge of this project. Their unlimited love and caring to students are values that I should learnt from them. It is not easy to spread your love and time to those you don’t  know or those who do not shoe any kindness to you. But they did. Besides , I had also learnt how to manage my time throughout the members. Although there were a lots of assignments and activities yet we managed to success in our visit to school and carry out exhibition and lab session there. Moreover, I had also learnt more knowledge while preparing all the information that needed in exhibition . This is because some of the topics that present in the school are the knowledge that I never know before. Lastly, I think we need volunteer our self to contribute more to society , not only when you are asked to do so. Next, I learn the importance of teamwork through the process of preparation. To succeed at the task in hand, everyone involved needs to combine their efforts. If everyone does their job well, then it increases what the team can accomplish. An individual will definitely take more time to perform if he is single offhandedly responsible for everything. When team members work together, we start helping each other and responsibilities are shared and thus it reduces the work load and work pressure. For example, when we face a problem, we discuss in a meeting and brainstorm the idea together and come out a solution at the end of the meeting. Working together is more effective and frequently new ways of doing things are discovered by team members working together to solve a problem. Besides that, work is more fun when we are a part of a team.

KHE JIA MING

I think I have really learnt a lot from this STEM project. In order to carry out this program, we need to deal with the school teacher, instructor and my colleagues and this has sharpened our communication skill. We also gain the experience from conducting Science Exhibition and Laboratory Session. Although there were a few conflict during our progress, they have resolved through compromising and the strong leadership skill from our group leader. I hope I will be given the chance in the future to conduct this type of project.

LEE JIA YEN

We did our social engagement Project 15/16 at SMK Damansara Jaya on chemistry Exhibition. This project enables us as an undergraduate to impart our knowledge in chemistry interestingly to young students. It gives me experiential opportunities to learn in real world contexts and develop skills of community engagement, while affording community partners opportunities to address significant needs. On top of that it also gives me greater interpersonal development, particularly the ability to work well with others and build leadership and communication skills.

NUR IZZATUL FARAHIN ZULKURNAIN

The most important thing that I gain from this experience is how important early and thorough planning is in order to make sure everything will be in order and to avoid chaos. On another important note, I also learn how it is crucial for us to instill the interest in the field of science in the younger generation since from the earliest possible age, especially during their adolescent phase as this is the period where they are the most curious to almost everything new and have a deep passion to learn new thing and to discover new knowledge.

NUR AISHAH MOHD NOR

Through doing Social Engagement, I learned to tolerate with each other. I also learned on how to grasp on situation when something happened not according to the plan. I also learned that we cannot be prejudice to other people around us. We also must know how to work under stress and trust everyone in the team. We also need to know to do a proper plan before start working. In this project, I believe everyone had done their best to do their parts and give the best to the project. In my opinion, this project should be continued in the future as another way to help students to socialize in the society and do charity to everyone.

LOK TOW JIE

My personal thought at the end: our program is indeed more time-consuming and more difficul compare to some other groups. We could definitely plan for an easier one to get this job done. However, do bear in mind that we are not wasting our time. It's rarely we get opportunities like this to hold a Science event this big without going through Government Organization. It feels great to share the thing we know, our knowledge in our field to the younger generation and stimulate their interest in Science. Those students we handled, they have great knowledge and ambitions. It is very wise to appreciate this given chance and perform the very best of us.

FATIN NUR HAZIQAH HAMZAH

I've learnt a lot from this project especially on developing my soft skills and leadership. Although its quite tired because there are too many things to prepare but once i saw smile from those students' face I feel so happy and yeah they boost myself indirectly. I'm so proud for their eagerness to study and gain more knowledge about science and mathematics. Next i learnt that even though we come from different race and religion but its not an excuse for us for being cooperative to each other. Our group mostly consist of Chinese students but I'm so comfortable working with them as they're so friendly and helpful. Last but not least, i believe that this project wont be succeed if there're no cooperation and hard work between us. Team bonding is the most crucial element for this success. Thank you.

WAN NURHUDA WAN HANAFI

I've gain a lot of experience when carried out this social engagement project. one of it is it helps to develop my confidence level and self esteem. i also learnt on how to deal with people in a proper way. for instance when we are engaging with the school teachers and students during the exhibition and lab session. furthermore, i felt very lucky to have this people as my team mates. they thought me a lot and we work together until we finished our project excellently.

NAJIHAH MOHD NAZRI

Throughout this subject I had learnt some few valuable lessons. As a secretary I were ask to make letters to the school and department in a short notice. Therefore I had to make it as priority as it will effect the process if I were too late to make the letter. This really help me to work well under pressure. Moreover this subject had really strengthen the bond between us, students. In the process of  doing this I have also learn that everybody had it own priority and works to do. Plus this subject is really meticulous to do that need commitment and spending  so much time. However one should feel responsible to help others and attend the meetings  to complete the time needed for the subject. Completing the course I've learnt that the things and protocol that is needed for an event. For example we  should appreciate the people who had given us help by giving token of appreciation. Furthermore it is crucial for students to dress and behave ethically  as it will represent the image of UM. Most important of all I have really develop my soft skills as we were interacting with the students to explains about the problem and details in the booth. Overall i'm satisfied that the members had given the best to complete the course and making the events a success

MEET US.. UM FUTURE SCIENTIST

          It’s finally lab session day! And boy were we a mess. Well, not much but a few failed demonstrations (proves that science is all about try-and-error) and last-minute flour (and plasticines) bulk-buying later, it’s safe to say that we’re not doing that hot. Still, all those unavoidable minor mishaps aside, our lab day could be said as a moderate success!

               Our day started as usual, at 6 in the morning (bless the alarm clock..), but instead of setting up at the hall, we set up our apparatus in the lab (right across the hall,) and waited for the arrival of the kids. The aforementioned kids being the selected 30 students who did so well during the previous test (so much genius, future so bright shaaa~~~) who all looked very excited to start the lab session.

            As usual, our resident MC Jia Ming started the session by briefing the students on what activities that will be done, and dividing the students into 3 groups, each headed by 3 of our members ; Tow Jie, Jia Yen, and of course, Jia Ming himself. There were altogether 3 stations with 3 different sets of experiments; the Dancing Raisins, the 'Magical Colored Flame' and Supersaturated Solution. 

Jia Ming is conducting the programme

students were divided into 3 groups

So.... I'll go one by one.

First, 'The Dancing Raisins'. For this experiment, all we need are raisins and a soft drink. Theoretically, raisins are denser than liquid in the soda, so highly initially they sink to the bottom of the glass. the carbonated soft drink releases carbon dioxide bubbles. When these bubbles stick to the rough surface of a raisins, the raisin is lifted. Why is this so? This is because of the increasing in buoyancy. When the raisin reaches the surface, the bubbles pop and the carbon dioxide gase escapes into the air. This causes the raisin to lose buoyancy and sink.This rising and sinking of the raisins continue until most of the carbon dioxide has escaped, the the soda  goes flat. Furthermore, with time the raisins get soggy and becomes too heavy to rise to surface.

Tow Jie is demonstrating 'The Dancing Raisins'

(ouh uh! sorry for any inconvenience)  Sorry guys i cannot upload the video for this experiment as the file is too big. But if you interested to watch it you can go to this link : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0LxZXyOOEk


Next we go to the second experiment.. Magical Colored Flame.

Corresponding colored flame:

• Copper acetate : Green
• Potassium iodide : Violet
• Lithium carbonate : Blue
• Strontium nitrate : Red
• Sodium chloride : Yellow

The materials we needed in this experiment are, beaker, ethanol and metal or metal salts as mention above. Basically, when a metal or metal salts is added to a flame, a combustion reaction ensues. This reaction excites an electron in the metal from its ground state to a higher orbital. In order to return to its ground state, the electron releases the additional energy in the form of light. Different metal electrons emit different wavelengths of light to return to their respective ground states,. Therefore the flame colors are varied. These flames can be used to produce atomic emission spectra of the elements combusted. Using known values of emission spectra, one can perform a flame test on an unknown substance by gather an emission spectrum from it, and determine which elements are presence in the particular unknown substance.

                 

                       Jia Ming is explaining about the substances used

Next, Supersaturated Solution. What is supersaturated solution?? There is a point when a solution contains more solute than the solvent can dissolve. This solution is known as a supersurated solution. You normally cannot see the solute in a solution because it is fully dissolved. You are able to see the solute in a supersaturated solution because all of the solute doesn't fully dissolve into the solvent. I bet I can bring to a mind a supersaturated solution that has come across your life. Think about making lemonade. Lemonade contains water, lemon juice, and sugar. Water is the solvent, and both the lemon juice and sugar are the solutes. Maybe the lemons you used were extra tart, so you can decide to add more sugar to offset the tart taste. As you continue to add sugar, you will reach the point where the solution cannot contain any more sugar. If you continue to add sugar past this point, then there will be too much sugar to dissolve into the water. You ended up with lemonade that wasn’t sweet enough for you, and it has sugar floating in it rather than dissolved in it.

                

our crew are explaining about the solution

           After the students had gone through all the stations, they were (again) given a test to be answered as a group. Though this time the test was much different than the previous test, no more MCQ only subjective, and the difficulty level was much much higher because (surprise!) there were hampers to be won! And the team with the highest marks will receive the first place hamper and so forth. There’re actually hampers for all groups so yeayyy everyone’s a winner!

the students are very focus in answering the quiz

              The second part of our lab session started after the students (and us) finished their recess, and it’s time for volcanooo! As mentioned before (see paragraph 1 line 1-2), our volcano preparation demonstration/s failed a few times (hey, try-and-error remember?) but alas we finally get the gist of it and managed to show the students how it’s really done. And then we asked them to do create, shape and construct the volcano (in their previous groups) according to their group creativity. And then we asked them to present what in the world does their volcanoes represent (one group brings forth human flesh etc. as we watched in horror. Kids nowadays…). 

group 1 volcano

group 2 volcano

group 3 volcano

         In this amazing and interesting experiment, we need materials such as, water, vinegar or HCl, dish detergent, food coloring and baking soda or NaOH. When the model has been built, the students put all the materials except for the baking soda into the volcano. When they were ready for an eruption, they add the baking soda into it. The baking soda will react with the vinegar and this will cause the eruption. It's quite interesting experiment and can be carried out at home. Try it and you can see volcano eruption just in front of our eyes :)

        After the experiment, we asked the representative from each group to present about their volcano model. Yeah they're funny and happy kids. From that presentation we could hear a various type of volcano names that we never heard before. Kids just being kids :p

group 1

group 2

group 3

      Creativity (and marks of previous test) decided the winner of the day and the kids in Group 2 (Jia Ming’s gaggle of children) brings home the first-place hamper, though other groups also won hampers, just…first place, man. That’s a legit bragging right for decades to come, so congratulation Jia Ming’s kids! Wohooo!

group 2 as the CHAMPION !!!

group 1 as the first runner up

group 3 as the second runner up

CONGRATULATIONS KIDS. YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME!!

Before we went back, our leader, Chng Chuang Yi on the behalf of our group gave a souvenir for the school administration. We have nothing much to give but we do appreciate all the opportunities that have been given to us. Thank you for everything SMK Damansara Jaya !

      Alas, our programe came to an end, and the kids and us parted with good memories and exchange of very valuable knowledge. Goodbye kids, let’s no see each other again yeah? You guys are so tiring to deal with. Just kidding : P See you kids at UM in a few more years

see you again :)



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That's all from me, and for your information mostly I'm not in the pictures as I'm so busy all the time taking pictures (yeah I'm the camera woman). So till then from me, Fatin Nur Haziqah. See you. Bye Bye

so... this is me :p

SECOND DAY !!

                The second day mirrored almost all that happened on the previous day, except that the students were replaced with a new batch consisted of the second-last and last classes. As usual, the students were oddly fascinated by the cornflour slime (despite it being a relatively, albeit very interesting (and fun) experiment). We were very impressed with how fluent and eloquent the students were in English, and how knowledgeable they are about the field of science despite only being 14 years old (I remember being one and boy, did these kids on another level than 14-year-old me).

                The programme ended early today (really, it’s Friday though…) at around 12.30, and all of us went back to our respective colleges happy, and hungry. A bit.

              

                So as nothing much to update for today I would like to explain a bit about the scientific theory for certain exhibition. So firstly, the "Cornflour Slime". What is it actually? How come when you exert a force on the slime, it become a solid but when you put no pressure or force on it, it will become a liquid? Magic?? Scientifically corn flour slime is a special type of fluid that doesn't follow the usual rules of liquid behavior. When pressure is applied, it's viscosity increases (hard to flow) and at a certain point the slime can behave like a solid.

in the process of making the slime

Next i would like to talk about the "Atomic Bomb". We present about what's really happened during World War 2 which involving the atomic bombs called 'Fat Boy' and 'Little Boy'. These two atomic bombs are very small but they managed to ruined Hiroshima and Nagasaki that time. Presentation about the black history is to raise awarness among the students and at the same time they can learn about the effects of radioactive substances on biological life.

Stability? What it means by stable? Basically we will say that being stable is being firmly established. We are less likely to change or fall. Yes fall. What factors that can prevent a structure from falling? Firstly, centre of gravity. The lower the centre of gravity, the stable the structure. Secondly, size of the base. the larger the size, the more stable it is. Next, mass of the object.The heavier bodies are harder to move and hence are more stable. 

one student with his stable model

this boy managed to stable 4 nails on a nail

some of the creative models by the students

are you focus enough?

 So today is our last day for exhibition. Look forward for the exciting lab session next week. Stay tune..

TODAY IS THE DAY :))

Our first day of social engagement started at 6 a.m in the morning, with all the members gathered at the 24 hours section of the library. From there, some went to the programme venue ( SMK Damansara Jaya) by personal vehicles, while the majority went by grab-car service. The average travel period from the university to the school is approximately around 15-20 minutes. The programme was held at the school hall, where all the required items like the chairs, tables, specified equipments etc. for the science exhibition had been provided by the school beforehand.

 At around 7.00 a.m, all the members had arrived and we began setting up the venue by arranging the tables and chairs, building temporary make-shift ‘booths’ for various types of stations (math, biology, physics etc.) for the exhibition. The first batch of students (all the students involved in the programme are Form 2 students) consisted of students from the first and second classes, arrived at the hall around 7.40 a.m, and the programme started with an introductory and a brief peak of the available exhibition booths by one of our members, Khe Jia Ming (our MC for the programme).

our crew is preparing the exhibition 

while waiting for the exhibition to start

Jia Ming interact with the students

The exhibition continued with the slide presentation on Atomic Bomb, presented by our members Kah Hui and Jia Yen. After that, the students were allowed to roam the exhibition area to visit the booths that they’re interested in. There were altogether 4 different and interesting booths available; Structure Stability, Amazing Math, Miscellaneous, and Cornflour Slime Pool. The last booth was undoubtly the most popular one of all. Playing with cornflour mixture could be strangely addicting,hmm. After 15 minutes, the students were gathered back and the exhibition continued with slide show about the Galaxy and Universe. After all the exhibition had ended, the students were required to answer a multiple-choice question test of a total of 20 questions, all related to our exhibitions. The students were graded based on their test results and those with high marks will join the lab session on the last day of our programme.

Atomic Bomb

Jia Yen asking a question from the student

explaining about the atomic bomb

Structure Stability

students are building a stable model

Amazing Math

sudoku

matchstick puzzle

Miscellaneous

vertebral column and lung

Cornflour Slime Pool

 lab assistant with the slime

excited students

            GALAXY AND UNIVERSE

explaining about universe

QUIZ TIME

At around 10 o’clock, the members all took their breakfasts, and at 10.40 a.m, the cycle continues with a new batch of Form 2 students. Our programme ends around 12.30 p.m, and after that we graded their tests, carried out brief post-mortem for the day, and wrap up at 1.00 pm.